Sleep Center guest's death ruled overdose

The woman found dead last month at the Open Doors Sleep Center died from an overdose of Benadryl, according to a toxicology report from the Grant County Coroner’s Office.

Shawna Jane Matthews, 36, was found dead the morning of March 6 during wake-up calls. After HopeSource staff checked for a pulse, they called emergency services. Moses Lake police responded first and called the coroner’s office.

Police said at the time her death didn’t appear to be caused by narcotics. The official cause of death was acute diphenhydramine intoxication, or Benadryl overdose, said Chief Investigator Jerry Jasman of the coroner’s office.

“On behalf of the Open Doors Sleep Center and the City of Moses Lake, we would like to offer our condolences to the Matthews family,” stated a March 8 press release from the city.